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Minolta XG-M 35mm: how to use

Started Jul 25, 2014 | Questions thread
Eric Onore Regular Member • Posts: 308
Re: Minolta XG-M 35mm: how to use

I'm an old guy and used cameras like this for many years.   The operation will become second nature after a while, and you may even enjoy the simplicity of operation and the fact that you need to think about what is going on, rather than the camera doing a lot of the work for you.

The link that was provided does a great job explaining the camera operation and parts, but I will add a little bit about flash.   What you have to remember about flash with a camera like this is that other than the hot shoe triggering the flash, there is no communication between the flash and the camera.   You have to manually set the sync speed, which is conveniently marked in red on the shutter speed dial.   Back then, flashes came in two varieties, manual and automatic.   With manual flashes you had to divide the guide number of the flash at the ISO of the film you are using by the distance to the subject.  This will tell you the aperture that you need to set the lens to to get a properly exposed subject.   Automatic flashes have a sensor that will quell the flash when the sensor feels that enough light has been reflected that the subject was properly exposed.   Both systems could work quite well, but needed a fair amount of intervention by you to get what you needed.

Come back if you have any questions.   You didn't mention what lens you have, but Minolta made fine cameras and lenses.   Have fun!

Eric

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